James Lowman news, comment and analysis – Page 21
-
NewsBusiness rates not fit for purpose, BIS committee finds
The Business, Innovation and Skills Committee of MPs has called for reform of the business rate system – and asks stern questions around Portas Pilot funding.
-
NewsShop theft up 4% - but crimes still going unreported, warns ACS
Instances of shop theft climbed 4% last year, with more than half of all retailers in the sector having experienced some form of physical or verbal abuse over the past year.
-
NewsUK floods: Retailers and suppliers battle the deluge
As the UK battles the wettest winter for decades, suppliers and retailers across the country are battling to get supplies through to flood-hit areas.
-
NewsPlastic bags charge in England branded a ‘complete mess’
Plans to introduce a 5p charge for plastic bags in England are a “complete mess”, an influential committee of MPs has said.
-
Comment & OpinionPricing floored
The below-cost crackdown is not the same as minimum unit pricing - though you could be forgiven for being confused…
-
NewsE-cigarettes face under-18 sales ban
The government is set to ban the selling of electronic cigarettes to anyone under the age of 18 amid concerns that children are taking up e-cigs and being drawn into smoking.
-
NewsMinimum wage hike would hit small businesses, trade warns
Trade associations have warned chancellor George Osborne that above-inflation increases in the national minimum wage will hurt small businesses.
-
NewsFailed efforts to revive town centres ‘disturbing’ says ACS
The planning policy aimed at putting town centres first, introduced last year, has been branded a failure.
-
Analysis & FeaturesIs this what the future of the UK tobacco trade looks like?
The government is wide open to legal challenges if it can’t prove Australia’s packs (pictured) have stopped kids taking up…
-
NewsAutumn statement caps business rates rises at 2%
Business rates rises will be capped at 2% from next April, chancellor George Osborne declared in today’s autumn statement.
-
NewsPlain tobacco packaging will 'put burden on retailers'
The government’s decision today to open a new review into plain packaging for tobacco has been met with dismay by retail groups, amid claims it will put added burdens on small retailers.
-
NewsACS backs rethink on high-street parking charges
ACS has welcomed a report from the Transport Select Committee calling for authorities to be more transparent about their income from parking charges.
-
NewsRetailers prepare for 3.2% business rates hike
Retailers will be hit by an increase in business rates of hundreds of millions of pounds in 2014.
-
NewsLabour plan to cut business rates welcomed by retail leaders
Labour’s plans to cut business rates for small businesses in 2015 and introduce a subsequent freeze have been welcomed by retail leaders.
-
Analysis & FeaturesDragging the high street out of town
How serious a threat to indies is Tesco’s much-lauded reinvention of the hypermarket format?…
-
NewsTobacco smuggling probe launched by government
Small shop leaders have welcomed a new government inquiry into tobacco smuggling.
-
NewsBeer duty stamps plan scrapped by government
Retailers and wholesalers have reacted angrily to the government’s decision not to impose fiscal stamps on beer as part of its strategy to tackle duty fraud, while brewers welcomed the move.
-
NewsScotland to charge for carrier bags from 2014
Scottish shoppers will have to pay a minimum of 5p for a carrier bag from next year, the Scottish Government has said.
-
Analysis & FeaturesCo-op, Morrisons and Sainsbury's join calls to freeze rates
With traditional store rates 15 times higher than for online rivals, the Co-op, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s have joined call…
-
Analysis & FeaturesIs Asda's community big box space scheme sound?
What to do with those big out-of-town sheds in an era of increasing online shopping and high fuel bills?…